Chinese Embassy Garden

Restoration of the grounds of a mansion in the 7th arrondissement

Concept

The Montesquiou mansion, with its grounds and courtyards has been restored by Arte Charpentier, in keeping with national heritage criteria.

Program

The entrance from Rue Monsieur is marked by a large courtyard enhanced with the soft and mellow tones of Fontainebleau sandstone paving. Versailles planters are filled with clipped evergreen shrubs and lemon trees.

Facing the Boulevard des Invalides, the gardens are organised around a central bowling green, in the spirit of the original formal layout, respecting the historical plan established by Brongniart in 1778. Lime trees form lines on each side framing the perspective. Although the lawn was been restored to its original 18th century appearance, the landscape architects decided to retain an aging ailanthus tree, which had grown there in more recent years, and which slightly interrupts the perspective on the main axis. Embassy staff and the city council gave their approval of this decision.

A more contemporary graphic style is applied to other parts of the garden. A rhythm of parallel bands of paving lead to a copse of bamboo situated at one end, and a sinuous path wends its way between tall grasses, and flower beds. Here, dragon’s claw willow trees and ginkgos stand amidst the peonies, rudbeckias, tulips and snowdrops.